The Minister of War, Lord Qi, took Huang Qubing and the Minister of Revenue to see Gu Jiu.
Huang Qubing was helpless.
The Minister of Revenue jumped up and down, "Why are you asking me for help with your Ministry of War's affairs?"
"Don't forget, the money the Ministry of War used to purchase the four-wheeled carriages came from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance. As representatives of the shareholders of Universal Transport, you two should stand up for the Ministry of War."
"It's a far-fetched argument." The Minister of Revenue sneered.
"It's okay if you don't go. The extra expenses, you two can discuss whether the Shaofu or the Ministry of Revenue should bear it."
The Minister of Revenue pointed at Huang Qubing without a second thought and said, "Of course, the Ministry of Revenue's warehouse is so empty that rats can escape, how can there be any extra money for the Ministry of War?"
Huang Qubing felt aggrieved, "Why should the Shaofu pay for it? The Shaofu's money didn't just come from the wind."
"Since neither of you wants to pay, then follow me to the Grand Prince's Palace."
There was no choice but to go with the Minister of War to see Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu was not surprised by the arrival of the three people.
The first order is from the Ministry of War, so there’s no way it’s going to go smoothly.
Gu Jiu invited the three of them to sit down. "Two elders, how come you have time to come to the prince's mansion today? Aren't you afraid of being impeached by the censor?"
As for Huang Qubing, it didn't matter. He still had Huang Qubing, the imperial concubine, above him. If the censor wanted to impeach him, he would have to target Huang Qubing.
Minister Qi of the Ministry of War pulled out a price quote and said, "Madam Zhao, not only are your people's attitudes bad, but I don't see any sincerity in them. At this price, selling it to the Ministry of War, do you think they're being taken advantage of?"
Gu Jiu glanced at the quotation sheet and said, "If you are not satisfied with the price, you can consider changing back to the previous plan and use the ordinary four-wheeled carriage."
"I didn't say I wanted to switch to the previous plan. I hope Madam will give us a discount for the sake of our cooperation."
The Minister of Revenue chimed in, "The Ministry of War is in trouble, not to mention the Ministry of Revenue, who are so poor they're practically eating dirt. This offer is truly too expensive, and we can't afford it."
Gu Jiu looked at Huang Qubing.
Huang Qubing said, "The Shaofu has no money."
The two old men were so angry that they really wanted to beat Huang Qubing up.
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, picking up the quotation sheet. "If the Ministry of War can lower the vehicle weight requirements, the price of the vehicle will naturally come down."
"We must not lower the load requirements. A carriage is useless if it can't carry more cargo."
"Then Universal Transport absolutely cannot lower their offer. You get what you pay for. If you want a vehicle that can carry over a thousand pounds and still run quickly, everything from the body to the wheels must be modified. In my opinion, this offer is already a bargain. We're not making any profit at all. We can't lower it even a penny. But..."
"But what?" the two adults asked anxiously.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Huanyu Transport will have a little surprise for its first customer. For every 100 carriages ordered, Huanyu will give one as a gift. For every 3,000 carriages ordered, Huanyu will give 30 as a gift."
I would rather give away the car than lower the price.
Gu Jiu is so principled.
It is easy to lower prices, but difficult to raise them.
This is not a house, it will follow the market and increase in price every year.
The Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue exchanged a glance and asked, "Is the four-wheeled carriage presented as a gift the size and requirements specified in the order?"
Gu Jiu nodded. "Yes, the same size requirements as the other 3,000 vehicles. This is Huanyu's greatest sincerity and the biggest concession to the Ministry of War. The price really can't be lowered. Please understand, gentlemen."
The Minister of War tapped the table lightly. "A 10% discount?"
Gu Jiu smiled and shook his head.
Discounts, dream on.
Why should there be a discount on the four-wheeled carriage that everyone is scrambling to get?
According to the news coming from places outside the capital, wealthy businessmen and powerful people in various places are extremely enthusiastic about four-wheeled carriages.
Every day, countless people go to toll booths, express delivery stations, and various branches of businesses around the world to ask when the four-wheeled carriage will be on the market.
Some people are afraid that they won’t be able to buy it, so they take the initiative to pay a deposit.
The four-wheeled carriage has become extremely popular even before it was launched on the market. It’s good enough that she didn’t raise the price, but she still wants a discount. How foolish and naive she is.
The Minister of War frowned and asked, "Ninety-five percent discount?"
Gu Jiu shook her head again. "This is already the lowest price. It can't be reduced even a penny. I hope you two adults will forgive me. I have really tried my best. In fact, you two adults can change your thinking. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue are both shareholders. You are also counting on Universal Transport to make a profit. Only when there is profit can there be dividends. I think blindly lowering prices and squeezing out profits is not in the interests of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue."
"Is it really true that the price can't be lowered even a penny?"
Gu Jiu nodded and said with certainty: "It is really impossible to reduce the cost by even a penny. Please forgive me, my Lords."
"Never mind. Let's do it according to the price on the order. I'll give you one car for every 100 units you purchase. This clause must be written into the agreement. I'll deliver the first batch on time in half a month."
"Can!"
The agreement was redrafted, signed and sealed by both parties, and everyone was happy.
Both adults were very busy people. After finishing their work, they also said goodbye.
Gu Jiu did not try to keep him, so as to avoid the censor's gossip.
After personally escorting the two adults out of the door, Gu Jiu led Huang Qubing to the study.
Huang Qubing asked anxiously, "Can the goods be delivered on time in half a month? One thousand special four-wheeled carriages is no small amount."
Gu Jiu nodded, "Don't worry, I've made preparations and will definitely deliver on time."
In the past few months, the small blacksmith workshop has been working overtime to produce four-wheeled carriages.
At that time, the order from the Ministry of War was already taken into consideration.
At this moment, the warehouse of Universal Steel is not only filled with civilian-sized four-wheeled carriages, but also with special-purpose four-wheeled carriages.
Huang Qubing felt relieved when he heard Gu Jiu's affirmative answer.
"Recently, many people have been asking when Universal Transport will start selling carriages."
Gu Jiu said, "After the first batch of goods is delivered to the Ministry of War in half a month, the civilian four-wheeled carriages can be officially put on sale. There are three sales locations in total: East Market, West Market, and Xinmin County. Areas outside the capital will not be rolled out until next year. Of course, if there are customers willing to pay extra, Huanyu Transport will use Sanhe Express to deliver to their door, no matter how far away they are."
This is definitely a VIP experience, and of course the price is not low.
For some local tyrants, paying extra money to purchase a four-wheeled carriage in advance is also a symbol of status.
I believe that after the launch of this business, Huanyu will receive a flood of orders from all over the world. The door-to-door delivery version of the four-wheeled carriage will definitely make Huanyu Transport a fortune.
Huang Qubing asked with a smile, "Can I place an order in advance and buy a four-wheeled carriage in advance?"
"Is one enough?" Gu Jiu asked him with a smile, "The princess's mansion needs at least six or seven four-wheeled carriages, and they have to be the most luxurious models. Otherwise, it would not be worthy of your status."
Huang Qubing's mouth twitched, "Madam, are you going to kill an acquaintance?"
Gu Jiu smiled and waved his hand. "I just think that the Princess's transportation should be upgraded. In addition, we offer customized luxury carriages. You can choose any interior design you want. As long as you pay enough, we will definitely satisfy you."
Huang Qubing asked curiously, "How much does it cost to customize a luxurious four-wheeled carriage?"
His carriage didn't need to be custom-made, but his mother's carriage definitely needed to be custom-made. Maybe his father's carriage would need to be custom-made too.
So he had to ask clearly in advance.
Gu Jiu clapped his hands.
The maid Aqing brought a hardcover edition of the interior customization price list.
The hardcover edition is worthy of being a hardcover edition, and the color printing on it is real and gorgeous.
Carpets, car walls, wheels, armrests, seats, soft couches, windows...
Every detail you can think of has a quote for different custom materials.
For the body wood alone, the quote lists no fewer than twenty options, including a wide variety of high-end and rare woods.
Carpets also offer no less than ten options.
Even the car window curtains, all conceivable materials are listed on the quotation sheet, and actual photos are also provided.
I guess Wenqing Bookstore has hired a new painter.
The hardcover picture album on the quotation sheet is very attractive to those who like luxury and comparison.
Even Huang Qubing, who was not very particular about details, couldn't help but be tempted by the many hardcover picture albums on the quotation sheet and wanted to customize the interior.
He picked up a pen and wrote down the prices of the materials he liked. When he finally calculated the prices, he was shocked.
One thousand taels!
The materials he chose were not the most expensive. Most of them were mid-range to high-end materials, and the total cost was one thousand taels.
"Robbery! Definitely robbery!"
Gu Jiu laughed, "You like it, don't you? I think Princess Fuya also likes the custom service we provide and will try her best to choose the best materials."
Huang Qubing bared his teeth.
He picked up the pen again and selected the top three most expensive materials according to his mother's preferences.
If every detail is redecorated and customized.
A four-wheeled carriage actually cost six or seven thousand taels.
These are just the prices for the top three.
If you choose the most expensive ones for all the decorations, it would probably cost 12,000 yuan for a four-wheeled carriage.
Twelve thousand per unit, who would buy it?
"The rich will buy it! Maybe no one in the capital would customize the most luxurious carriage, but the rich from other places don't have such concerns."
The capital city is under the emperor's rule, so we still have to consider the impact.
It can be luxurious, but it cannot be too luxurious and cause criticism in the palace.
Outside the capital, the wealthy don't care about the consequences and live as luxuriously as they can.
Customized services can definitely earn you countless barrels of gold.
As if worried that Huang Qubing might not have received enough stimulation, Gu Jiu added, "We also have a special custom service where we can inlay carriages with gold and jade. However, this service is only offered once a year."
Huang Qubing was secretly shocked.
"Is this how all the local tycoons from other places play?"
"About the same."
"Madam, are you planning to use a carriage to clean out the pockets of the rich?"
"That's just the beginning. A mere four-wheeled carriage is not going to empty the pockets of the wealthy. Tell me, if you want to order a four-wheeled carriage in advance, it's better to customize it. Take this quotation back to Her Royal Highness for review. Universal Transport will serve Her Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness with all its heart. If you have any needs, you can place an order now."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
I just discovered that the last two updates haven't been updated. There's a problem with Xiaoxiang backend again.
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